Poole suffers horror neck injury

2 January 2014 14:00pm

By Graeme Gillespie

Former Dragon Mike Poole suffered his injuries playing for Llanelli in the Premiership.

Scarlets winger Mike Poole is recovering well in Cardiff Heath Hospital after undergoing two sets of surgery to stabilise a serious neck injury sustained in Llanelli's game against Swansea on December 28th.

The winger, who is on a year's contract with the Scarlets and Wales' Sevens had scored two tries in the Premiership fixture before sustaining a fracture and dislocation to his neck at the game held at St Helen's.

He was taken immediately to Morriston Hospital and then later transferred to the Heath hospital in Cardiff where he has undergone two operations.

Scarlets Head of Medical Andy Walker said: "Mike's injury was serious; the surgery undertaken has been successful and thankfully there has been no loss of function as a result of the injury. He will undergo a further CT scan later to ascertain whether he will need one further operation; however to date he has progressed well, the injury has been stabilised and he is recovering.

"On behalf of Mike, his family and the Scarlets we would like to express our gratitude to all the staff and medical teams at both Morriston and Heath Hospitals for their excellent work as they continue to monitor him. He is expected to remain in hospital for another week.

Simon Easterby, Scarlets Head Coach said: "Everyone at the Scarlets and especially the coaches and all our players send Mike and his family their very best wishes. We have been in close contact with the hospital teams, Mike and his family throughout and we are all pleased to see him making good progress."

British & Irish Lions trio Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams and Dan Biggar return to the Wales starting line-up for Saturday's crucial NatWest 6 Nations encounter in Dublin against Ireland where Warren Gatland's men will be seeking their second scalp of the campaign.

Wales forward coach Robin McBryde has given Welsh fans a major boost ahead of this weekend's vital NatWest 6 Nations clash by declaring "Everybody has been given the green light," with injured trio Dan Biggar, Taulupe Faletau and Leigh Halfpenny all back in training.

The Wales squad met back up this morning to prepare for the clash against England - WRU TV caught up with Neil Jenkins who said the squad were under no illusions for their next task but a trip to Twickenham doesn't hold any fears for a confident Wales side.

Wales hooker Ken Owens was delighted to get the NatWest 6 Nations off to a flying start with a convincing win against Scotland, where he says the squad were determined to deliver a performance 'from minute one.'

Just two days until the NatWest 6 Nations kicks off. George North takes WRU TV around the players area at Principality Stadium after going through security - which fans will have to do on Saturday. Gates open at 11.15 - don't leave it late!

Next in the series of #TheTeamRoom we listen in to the first leadership group in camp. The players were asked to nominate their peers who they wanted to represent them on the group and we hear what Warren and the players have to say.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland was in a positive frame of mind at today's NatWest 6 Nations launch but admitted the opening clash in Cardiff was a 'massive' game as everyone is talking about the rise of Scotland.

Head coach Warren Gatland has selected two uncapped players - James Davies and Josh Adams - in his 39-man squad for the 2018 NatWest Six Nations. Ospreys second row Alun Wyn Jones will once again be his captain.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland revealed that he was satisfied with the two wins from four games during the autumn's Under Armour Series. WRU TV recaps the matches against Australia, Georgia, New Zealand and South Africa.

The following players have been released back to their respective regions for action this weekend and will link back up with the Wales national squad following the conclusion of their regional commitments.